Improvement in corn-shellers



TL WEAVER.

Corn S'h'eller.

Patented Aug. 24;'18'69.

WW1/esse;-

UNITED STATEs l,lo.fran'fr OFFICE.,

THEOPHILUSVVEAVER, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT veo'rnu-si-iELLERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Fatent No. 921,050, dated AugnstQl, 1869.

.To all whom it may concern:

' drawings, making a part ofthis specification,

in whichc Figure lis a perspective side view. ofthe machine. Fig. 2 is a perspective edge view of the same. Fig. 3 is a bottom view otl the sliding clamp of the holder. Fig. 4 is a plan of theV eduetion cob-rack. Fig. 5 is a top view ot the revolvingfeed-cone and the-two similar sheller. jaws. Fig. 6 is a top view ofthe same with the jaws removed. Fig. 7 is a sectional view ofthe miter-gear connecting-ring. Fig. 8 isa side view ot the eduction trip-slide. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Sheller-case body. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a shellerjaw. Fig. llis a top view of mit/er-gear connecting-ring.

I style this sheller The Little Giant# and its nature is such as to constitute acheap, neat,

' and efticient household machine for cuttin'gor shelling dry or green corn oft' the cob withease and without scattering of thegrains. It consists of a case anda holder combined, a cobraek andtrip-slide, a revolving feed-cone' and two jaws, and a vpropelling and an annular' connecting miter-gcar wheel, all so constructed and arranged as to require no machine-work in erecting the machine.

` The case-body R2 F', as shown in Figs. 1,'2, and 9, consists of two almost similar halves bolted or riveted together at S, and oppositely at the parting-line, through hasps, as shown in Figs. l and 9. The lower ends of said sections are vertical semi-cylinders, to which areattached the hasps and a branch of the holderframe O2, Fig. 1,` and the upper ends are also semi-cylinders surmounted with an external flange which is flush with the top of the tube, aridi is cut rounded at the case-parting, -forming'the lips K2, as shown in Figlt); forthe f purpose hereinafter explained. Ata distance less than the thickness of the miter-gearcont fleeting-ringm b, Figs. 7, 11, and v9, the sections of the case-body are swelledl out into semi-hexagonal abutments F F', thus forming an internal bench above R2, Fig. 9,on which are arranged the clutches of the cob-raclr'X4 Y?, as shown in Fig. 4. The walls of the hexagonal chamber are cut at E to form a'bearing for the guide A/of clutch Y4, and at C to make a clearance for the limb ofclutch X4, and at AMffor a clearance for limb of clutchY4. On theoutside, near the lower end of the semicylinder, is formed a hollow spindle, H, and may beformed asimilar spindle, H2, onthe oppo'site section, for the attachment of the ruiter l, 2, and 9. Said wheel is made to standparab lel'to the plane of thecase-parting, and has a `depressed hub to revolve clear of the chamber- Wall 'F' and to match the unter-gear m, asin Fig. 2. It'is attached to' spindle H by means of a stove-bolt, nut, an'dwasher, said spindle being of such length and thickness as to receive the washer on its face, clamped rigidly by the nut, while the' wheel is left to play freely von said spindle, guided by the washer and the base of the spindle in its plane. For chairor other Seat attachment ofthe machine, the wheel is attached on spindle H, as shown n Figs. 9

4be attached on spindle H2, Fig. 9, as the 'case must stand away from such stand to letA the cob out of the case below, and the motion ot the wheel must not be reversed in shelling.

The holder-frame L3 B4 g' O2, Fig. 1, is also divided vertically'infto two similar sections, as shown in Fig.2,and each section, as shownin Fig. l, has two branches, M O2, which extend laterally from 'the line of the standard O O to join 'the case-body, branch O2 making a detour upward tothe lower end of said bodyand branch M a direct-approach to the wall of the hexagonal chamber' F', as shown inform and position, cross-section, at t' i, Fig. 9', at rig-ht angles to said wall and 'so-said standard. The said"standard, from O' up" to thetopbt"l the frame,`is also' divided into twotrunks. 'Said .trunks'make'a detour above O', to receivearms "Tg on' the" inside of the `frame for the support of lacoiled"signing-and for afbearin'g forithestern vl'of the eduction tripslide, as" shown inFig; l.

a brace, Bfwhieh spans g across' the angle to branch M, andhasa pin, p; cuits -i'nsi'dcfand serves, in connection lwith thesi'tnilar `braceon propellinghand-wheel n n eZ, as shown in Figs.

and 2. For stand attachment, the wheel'must Fartherfup each "of" the' trunks mas-sed `into the other trunk and the trip-slide, to form a frame-work beneath branch M, for the insertion, support, and guidance of the limbs of the clutches of the cobrack, as shown in Fig. 4, and hereinafter explained. In the trunk-parting is formed a slot, which the stem T ofthe tripslide traverses up and down, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in'whiclx said slide is partially guided and stopped, a slot in the branch .M parting also receiving and guiding the blade of the same, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8 at F. The division of the standard intotrunks is carried downto O', that the breech A2 n2 n3 ot' the clamp, Fig. 3, may be entered in place on lthe'standard before the sections of the case are bolted together, as shown in Fig. 2, and not be removable until the case is parted. T he standard is made of a main Vfront bar, B2, a

t short grooved ledge, m2, in front of it, and a rear brace, O, terminatingin .the usual foot, l', below, but without a set-screw, as shown in Fig. 1. The cut n2 n3 n2 in the breech of the clamp, Fig. 3, is made to tit the cross-section of the standard loosely, allowing the foot P2 to cant, when a set-screw, S', through the arm V2 vibrates 'the clamp, the claws AZA? acting as a fulcrum, while the point of the screw S' in grooves 7, 8, 9, &c., of ledge m2, Fig. 2,1ixes the action at any desired point on the standard, thus rendering the holder capable of a great range of adjustment. Moreover, this clamp is harmless to furniturev to which it may be attached, as the foot P2 can be let down on a pad and then compressed, as above recited,

without permitting a screw to come in contact 'with articles to which it is attached.

It is in principle a sliding bell-crank lever, and its breech or fulcrum is cut into claws A2 A2 for the'purpose ot'entering it on this holder, as specified; but it can be used ,on other ma chines and implements where no permanent connection is required with the standard, and the breech can then be made into a cavity. The grooves 7, 8, 9', &c.,.are cast shut at the end toward which the screw-point travels, to prevent'its walking out of the groove. TheV arm V2 is recessed to match the ledge m2 loosely to insure a steady actionin sliding the clamp.

AThe miter-gear connecting-ring m m,'Figs. 7, 11, and l, has two lugs, Z, formed on its upper side, which are made to till recesses under fthe feed-cone a a, Figs. 1 and 2, to add strength "and firmness to the rivet or bolt connection 'which it has with said cone through holes -at R, Fig. 11, and at P, Fig. 6. Said ring has an internal ange, b b, Fig. 7, about midway in its body, which is the bearing for the ring, and therefore of the feed-cone around the neck ot' the case-body'FRZ, beneath the ange K', 'as shown in Fig.l9. The connection of said ring with the neck of said case-body is a hinged locking-swivel, and it is e'ected'as follows:

The internal flange, b' b, Fig. 11, is formed into two segments by diametrically-opposite scallops f f. The one sectio'nlof the case-ange K' is readily entered through said scallops by vcision of action in the sheller-j aws.

turning to the line or diameter of the scallops.

'The other section can then be entered only by opening the lower case parting like hingeleaves, thus allowing the rounded lips K2 K2` to shorten the diameter of the neck of the case and to slide the section to its proper place.

When the sections are thus entered and brought in parallel position and 'bolted together, as shown in Fig. 9, the connection is complete. Said ring is held up to its proper position ou said neck beneath ilange Kl by its bolted connection with the bottom ofthe feed-cone,which rests and revolves upon said flange K', and is guided and propelled by said ring. Said feed cone or bowl a a, Figs. 1 and' 2, has a base of nearly the same diameter as the upper face of the connecting-ring m m. Itswall rises with a gentle outward swell to a bead,'B, on which is formed a slightly-tapering standard, P4, on which is mounted -a sheet-metal rim, A, by a cap-joint. The perforation in the floor of the feed-cone, as shown in Fig. 6, is as large ast-he bore of the cylindrical part of the case-body, which is large enough to emit the cob and shelled corn through it at the same time. At opposite points on the cone-oorare formed two similar quadrantal abutments, C C, Fig.

6, recessed beneath to form bearings for the reception ot' the Sheller-jaw front guides, L L. (Shown in Figs. 10, 5, and 2.) Parallel with said bearings and with each other are formed against the cone-wall two arched abutments, W' W', Fig. 6, whose straight edges rise above the cone-oor high enough to come flush with the rectangular wing V of the shellers, as

shown in Figs. 5 and 6. At the front ends of said Vedges are formed two rests or stops,T T,

gaged in height and breadth by the cross-section of the recess of said wings VV. which they traverse at right angles, as shown at T,

Fig. 1, thus forming, in connection with said wings and abutments Wl W', sprin g-chambers,

`from T to S, as shown in Fig. 2. The con'ewall is also perforated to the rear of the rests T T by rectangular cuts E, to` emit said wings VVin shelling, as shown in Fig. 2. The cone-wall is also perforated adjacent to the abutments C O by rectangular cuts D D, to receive, guide, and emit the rear shellerguides, g g, as shown in Figs. 10, 5, 2, and 1. Said' parts and perforations are all similarly formed, so that the similar jaws can be inserted miscellaneously, and when insertedthe guides, abutments, and beariu gs are so formed and arranged that no loose grains will hinder the pre- Said sheller-jaws proper are raised above the cone-floor y to'clearapassage for thc shelled corn, as shown ,in Fig. 10. To effect this the rectangular re'ar guide, g, is b ent up in front like a runner, and

the heel of blade N2 is massed on its top. On

the opposite side of the jaw the tip of blade N3- is massedl on a sharp curved pedestal, which stands ontlieiuner edge of the spring-shuttle' V L in such relative height that heelof blade N2 and tip of blade N3 will overlie or clear each other, as shown in Fig. 5. Guide g and shuttle V L are parallel to each other, and their lower edges are in the same plane. The jaw, it will be observed, has two semi-elliptical spiral cuts, W2, one near the middle, the other on the shuttle side, formed partly by the curve of said pedestal. These cuts are so made to facilitate the induction of the'corn-ear, which enters from above. The blades N2 N3 have underneath them transverse blades P2, which do the cutting, while the former do the winding.

To enter 'thejaw and its coiled springin the feed-cone, the spring is inserted in the recess of the shuttle V L, and the shuttle-wing V is then entered in the recess of the cone-wall, made for it over the rest T, in such manner that said rest takes the spring before it while said wing and guide g are entering their recesses or bearings. The jawis then pressed back far enough to enter the front guide, L, laid down on the cone-Hoor, and allowed to ily t0 its place under C by the action of said spring and guides, as will appear by reference to Figs. 10, 6, 5, 2, and 1. The tension ofthe spring and the length of the throw are such that the jaw will remain in place and working order without a stop for ordinary shelling or cutting. Ita stop is needed to limit the throw of the jaw, it can be inserted either on the "shuttle-win g or on the cone-Hoor. This mode of constructing and inserting the jaws is employed to make them removable for the purpose of sharpening th'em when dullwithont the necessity of taking the machine apart.

The handle ofthe driving miter-wheel m m stands out from its rim to clear the guides 4of y the jaw when they are pressed out in shelling,

as shown in Fig. 2.

The eduction cob-rack, as above recited, is located mainly in the hexagonal chamber of the Sheller-case FF, Figs. 9, 4,1, and 2, and it is placed as near up to the-slieller-jaws as possible, in order to grasp the cob as soon as possible after its point is shelled. The mechanism connecting the feed-cone with the case-body is therefore massed and compact, as shown in Fig. l. Said cob-rack, as shown in Fig. 4, consists of two nearly semi-hexagonal clutches, X4 Y, having their shortened sides parted at E2 E2 on the hexagonal abutment, on which said sides slide and on which they are guided by the case-walls. Said clutches are provided internally with tines 1 2 3 and 4.5 6, which are slightly rounded above, and are so inclined as to strike the cobinside of the tangential line, and thus, by impingingon its nap, to resist its revolution while the grains are being shelled or eut oft' its other part inthe jaws above; and said tines are rounded to allow the cob to freely enter said clutches and to pass through between them impelled by the action of the j aws in winding around it. Clutch Y4 has a rear guide, A', and a bent link, Y, which passes out of the case through a slot at M3 and returns and enters the holder-frame, as stated. The clutch X4 has a straight limb, which, on the other side of the case-parting,

also enters said frame parallel to the other limb. At a little distance from the outer ends of said limbs ledges are formed on their upper edges, in which are nicks Z and B. Said nicks are so spaced in relation to eachother as .to receive the counteracting ledges F and h of the trip-slide. (Shown in Fig. 8.) Said trip-slide, Fig. 8, has a vertical blade mounted on a spiral spring-stem, Z, at its lower left angle. Above said angle, on the left side of the blade, and at right angles to it, is formed a guide, which terminates in the thumbltrig T. Said blade has two ledges, F and h, arranged cruciform on oppositew sides,whose inclination is such as to regulate the throw of the llimbs of the cob-rack, as already stated, and said blade is of such thickness as to ll the space between the led ges on said limbs loosely, while the guide fills the slot S3, Fig. 2. Said slide is inserted so as to take on its stem the spring in position, as shown at T l, Fig. l, and said clutches are inserted in their places before the case is closed. The external trig is employed to eject the cob instantly, with a downward plunge on T', after it has passed Vthe shellerjaws. In the slide-blade is a hole, Z', for a pin, which, if inserted after the trig is forced down, locks the cob-rack open,whic h,in some cases, may be desirable, as an ear can be easily conducted through the sheller without the use of the rack; but to cut corn off the cob While it is yet hot from boiling it, the rack will be indispensable. v

1t should yet be observed that this sheller does not scatter the grains, as the rim A on the feed-cone a, Fig. 1, collects all the grains, which are then passed down through the casebody and there properly delivered. All its operations have been recited, and its merits are too obvious to need further comment.

I `hereby disclaim the central semi-elliptical spiral eut in the Sheller-jaws, also the blades, as 'those have already been claimed by my patent of July 6, 1869; but Y What I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- 1. In a Sheller-jaw of two blades, N2 N3, the shuttle V L and the crooked rear guide, g, arranged substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination and arrangement 0f the shuttle-wings V L with benches W and rests T, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

3. Constructing the base of cone a with spring-rests T, benches W C, and cuts D, all

arranged as herein setforth.

4. The sliding clamp A2 P2 V2 S' n2 n3 and standard B2 m2 l', constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described,

5. Constructing frame O2 B4 M g S4 as and `for the purpose specified. a p

6. Constructing case-bodyR2 F K K2 H as and for the purpose specified.

7 The eduction cob-rack X4 Y4 X Y A and trip-slide T' Fh l, arranged to operate substaui ruiter-Wheel n, substantially in the manlief tially as herein described. Y as and for the purpose hereinvsetfortah.'

S. The locking-swivei connection of mitery s gearing m with casebody, as and for the pur- THEOPHILUS WEAVER' pose specified. A Y Witnesses:

9. The combination and arrangement; of mi- ROBERT A. JOHNSTON, ter-gear m with feed cone a, and with hand G. W. HAAS.V 

